So, you’re sitting on the couch, scrolling through Peacock or flipping through NBC, and you start wondering: exactly how many series of Chicago PD have I missed? Or maybe you're trying to figure out if that "new" episode is actually new or just a rerun from three years ago. It’s a fair question. Honestly, the "One Chicago" universe is huge. Between the crossovers and the way the seasons bleed into each other, keeping track is a whole job.
As of early 2026, Chicago PD is currently airing its 13th season. If you’re counting "series" as in total seasons, the number is 13. But if you’re a completionist who wants the full story, the math gets a little weirder because this show didn't just pop out of nowhere. It actually started as a spin-off from Chicago Fire.
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The Real Number: Breaking Down the Seasons
Since it premiered back in January 2014, Chicago PD has been a staple of Wednesday night TV. We’ve seen 13 distinct seasons.
Most seasons have stuck to the 22-episode gold standard, but things got a bit choppy recently. Season 11 was quite short because of the Hollywood strikes, and the current season (Season 13) is expected to run about 21 episodes. If you’re looking to binge-watch from the very beginning, you’re looking at over 250 episodes of grit, gravelly voices, and Hank Voight doing things that would definitely get a real cop fired in five minutes.
Here is the quick breakdown of where we stand right now:
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- Seasons 1 through 12: Fully released and available for streaming.
- Season 13: Currently airing on NBC (premiered October 2025).
- Total Episodes: We just crossed the massive 250-episode milestone.
Why People Get Confused About "How Many Series"
Sometimes when people ask "how many series of Chicago PD" are out there, they aren't just talking about the seasons. They’re talking about the spin-offs.
Chicago PD is actually the second series in the "One Chicago" franchise. First came Fire, then PD, then Med, and briefly—very briefly—there was Chicago Justice. Justice only lasted one season before it was axed, but characters from PD show up there all the time.
Basically, if you want the "full" Chicago PD experience, you sort of have to watch the other shows too. There are massive crossover events where a story starts with a fire on Chicago Fire, moves to an investigation on Chicago PD, and ends with someone on an operating table on Chicago Med. If you only watch the PD "series" in a vacuum, you’ll occasionally hit an episode that makes zero sense because half the plot happened on a different show.
What’s Happening in the Current Season?
We are deep into Season 13 right now, and things are... heavy. If you haven't caught up, Voight is still dealing with the fallout of almost dying at the end of Season 12.
The squad looks a bit different these days, too. We’ve had some big exits recently. Toya Turner, who played Kiana Cook, left after a short stint, and we’ve got Arienne Mandi in the mix now as Officer Eva Imani. The show is definitely leaning into a "darker" tone lately—even for PD standards. The midseason premiere that just aired in January 2026, "Born Screaming," was basically a horror movie in a police procedural’s clothing.
Where to Watch Every Season
If you’re trying to catch up on all 13 series/seasons, your best bet is Peacock. They have everything from the 2014 pilot to the episodes that aired last week.
- Peacock: Has every single episode.
- NBC App: Usually carries the most recent 5 episodes for free if you have a cable login.
- Amazon/Apple: You can buy individual seasons, but honestly, with 13 seasons at $30 a pop, that’s a lot of money. Just get a month of Peacock.
Is Season 14 Happening?
NBC hasn't officially pulled the trigger on a renewal for Season 14 yet, but don't panic. The ratings for the "One Chicago" block are still some of the best on network television. Even though viewership across all TV is down compared to ten years ago, PD still wins its timeslot almost every Wednesday. Usually, we get the official "yes" from the network around March or April.
The only thing to watch out for is budget cuts. You might have noticed that some of your favorite characters disappear for an episode or two here and there. That’s not because the actors are sick; it’s a cost-saving measure where the "veteran" cast members don't appear in every single episode to keep production costs down. It’s annoying, but it’s the reason the show is still on the air after 13 years.
Your Chicago PD Checklist
If you’re planning a marathon, here is how to do it right:
- Start with Chicago Fire Season 1, Episode 23: This is the "backdoor pilot" where we first meet Voight (he was actually a villain back then!).
- Don't skip the crossovers: Use a crossover guide. Seriously. If you hit an episode titled "Emotional Proximity" or "Deathtrap," make sure you have the Fire and Med episodes ready.
- Watch for the 250th episode: It happened early in Season 13 and it’s a big one for long-time fans.
The best way to stay current is to set your DVR for Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC or just check Peacock every Thursday morning. With 13 seasons in the bag, there's a lot of ground to cover, but the evolution of the Intelligence Unit from a group of "cowboy" cops to the more scrutinized team they are in 2026 is worth the watch.